Hitch-clamp



(N0 Mdel.)

. J. MATHIE. HITUH CLAMP.

No. 244,020. Patented'July 5, 1881.

UNITED STATES PATENT y OFFICE.

l JAMES MATHIE, OF ANORTH ALTON, ILLINOIS.

HlTCH-CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,020, dated July 5,1881.

To all lwhom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES MATHIE, of NorthAlton, county of Madison, and State of Illinois, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Hitch-Clamps, ot' which the following is a clear,full, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanyingdrawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is aperspective view ot' a hitchclarnp with my improvements attached. Fig. 2is a plan view, otl the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section throughw x. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through y y.

My invention relates to clamps for holding reins of bridles anddriving-lines; and it consists in the combination of devices hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I willproceed to describe the exact manner in which I have carried it out.

In the drawings, Arepresen ts the main block or frame ofthe device,slotted, as shown at a a, Fig. 4, to receive the cams B, which arepivoted at b within the slots a. Mounted on the onter faces of thesecams, and rigidly attached thereto, are the vertical clamping-faces C,between which the lines or reins are clamped and held. Against each cambears a spring, D, by which the cam-faces are forced together, as shownin Fig. 2. It is evident from this description that it the cams B beforced back against the springs D their faces and the clamping-faces Cwill separate or open the space between them sufficiently for thereception of a pair of drivin g-lines or bridle-reins, and on beingreleased will close Application filed May 3, 1881. (No model.)

tightly on the lines or reins and hold them securely until released byagain forcing back the cams against the springs.

In order to guard against the possibility of the lines working upwardand out from between the cams, a button, d, may be used, so as to crossthe space between the clamp-blocks.

To the central and lower portion ofthe main block A, I secure the smallscrew-clamp E, as shown in Fig. 3, by which means my improved bitchingdevice becomes portable and detachable, and can be conveniently andquickly attached and detached wherever and whenever desired.

To guard against the possibilit)r ot' damage by the thumb-screw e to thesplash-board of a vehicle, the washer c is loosely swiveled on the innerend of the thumb-screw, and receives the thrust ot' the screw when thehitch-clamp is secured in position.

I am aware that it is not new to use the cam in the construction ofhitch -clamps, nor do I claim such, broadly, as my invention; but,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

The improved hitch-clamp, constructed as` described, and consisting ofthe slotted block A, cams B, provided with the springs D and verticalclamping-faces, and the screw-clamp E, all constructed to operatesubstantially as and for the purpose set f'orth.

JAMES MATHIE. Witnesses:

DENNIs NooNAN, JN0. F. McGINNIs.

